Oh no! Not another passport question?

[MouseGrandma]

So tomorrow is two weeks until we travel. I still don't have my passport I applied for on April 9th. I don't expect to get it, although I will make the call to my congressman's office in the morning.

I wrote for a new official birth certificate ($69 plus shipping - think we should be able to deduct that on income taxes?) and it arrived. Of course, it is my maiden name. What other document other than my drivers' license (married name and doesn't have maiden name on it - I'm 60 years old after all!) do I need to take to board the ship, reboard in Nassau?

 

[eva]

Your birth certificate and driver's license are all you need. Most women have the same circumstance with their maiden name being on the birth certificate. It is no problem at all.

You might want to give the passport office a call today. On their website it states to call if you are traveling within two weeks and have not received your passport.

 

[cobbler]

Well I applied a week before you and I still don't have mine either.

If you happen to call let me know what they say. I am not within 2 weeks of travel but I am wondering if I should call because we are headed towards week 13.

 

[eva]

Well I applied a week before you and I still don't have mine either.

If you happen to call let me know what they say. I am not within 2 weeks of travel but I am wondering if I should call because we are headed towards week 13.

Well, It probably doesn't hurt to call. But the website does state not to call unless you are 2 weeks or less from your travel date.

 

[oklamomof4boys]

I know many people who had great success calling their congressman. We are having trouble with DS14's passport. We might be calling our congressman in the next couple of days. Plus, if you do call the national passport number, I had an easier time getting through either early in the morning or later at night.

 

[tvguy]

I wrote for a new official birth certificate ($69 plus shipping - think we should be able to deduct that on income taxes?) and it arrived.

I'm no tax expert, but I sure can't think of a way to write a birth certificate off on your taxes. DW and I have had Passports for decades and haven't had to show a birth certificate since we first applied, but especially for children, it's always a good idea to have at least 2 copies of a birth certificate. A lot of youth sports organizations now require not only to see a birth certificate, but to keep a certified copy in their files, especially for tournaments and special competitions.

 

[MouseGrandma]

I'm no tax expert, but I sure can't think of a way to write a birth certificate off on your taxes. DW and I have had Passports for decades and haven't had to show a birth certificate since we first applied, but especially for children, it's always a good idea to have at least 2 copies of a birth certificate. A lot of youth sports organizations now require not only to see a birth certificate, but to keep a certified copy in their files, especially for tournaments and special competitions.

I was only kidding about writing off the birth certificate expense. It seems that it's Uncle Sam's fault lots of us are having to pay fr a new birth certificate to use because our original one is tied up at the passport office with our applications!

 

[MouseGrandma]

Well, It probably doesn't hurt to call. But the website does state not to call unless you are 2 weeks or less from your travel date.

Yes, I will wait until tomorrow when it will be exactly two weeks.

 

[cruisinluver]

Do you have your marriage license or social security card that indicates your new name? That might be another option.

 

[moviegirl11]

yeah i was going to say - I recently applied for a name change on my passport which is basically a renewal application (since my passport was more than a year old before I got married) and I used a certified copy of my marriage license to do that. I'm sure that would be a usable method of identification in your situation.

 

[eva]

I wouldn't worry. On both of our previous DCL cruises I just had my birth certificate and driver's license. No one even batted an eye that my maiden name is on my birth certificate. I just received my passport and all I had to supply was a birth certificate and they copied my driver's license when I applied. I have never had to have a social security card or marriage certificate in either circumstance. If you did need one, DCL would let you know.

 

[inotareyez]

I'm a notary public in Alabama and I suggest you call either your travel agent or the company you're cruising with to answer your question. While I don't disagree with any of the earlier posts and their suggestions, they won't be with you when you board your ship. I wouldn't want to take a chance especially with the new law that went into effect January 2007.

If you don't get a an answer from your travel agent or cruise personnel then take plenty of legal documents with you that show your other name.

As a Notary Public, I've been asked to put a purson under oath and to notarize a statement which said that they are known as "maiden name" and "married name". I'm no lawyer and I'm not saying this would solve the problem but it might help.

I don't think you're over-reacting to worry about this. Pursue it now while you have time to "get your ducks in a row".

Good luck!

 

[cruisinluver]

I wouldn't want to take a chance especially with the new law that went into effect January 2007.

What new law is this? The passport issue does NOT apply to travel by sea to begin with at this time.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

I think we're making more of this than we need to. First, all birth certificates are going to have your maiden name on them. Whether your married, divorced or never been married before. All DCL requires is a BC and a current State ID OR Passport. They check the first name, middle name and birthdate. They know that your married name is not going to be on your BC and they don't require a marriage license at the port.

Even the US government when applying for your passport requires your BC but not a marriage license, unless you need a new one because you got married or legally changed or name (that's a different can of worms). But if you are applying for a new passport the previous documents apply.

I'm sure you'll be fine with the required documents that DCL asks you to bring.